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Preppers: Time to Ditch the Iron Sights-only Builds
AShooting Journal ^ | 11/10/2015 | Bilj

Posted on 11/10/2015 11:04:57 AM PST by w1n1

There's this thread on Reddit that stated:

For as long as I've had my AR, I've kept it equipped with iron sights only, on the theory that I didn't want to rely on a battery-operated sight. That's still true, but I'm rethinking my original choices and considering a scope or fiber optic sight. So, my question is two-fold:

  1. Would you recommend iron sights, some form of fiber optic sight, a scope of whatever type, or a combination?
  2. For scopes or fiber optic sights, what model do you recommend that performs well between 100 and 300 yards and won't break the bank?

Good for this guy. He seems to have finally woken up to the fact that an iron-sights-only build for TSHTF is suicide.

Let's stop and think about this for a moment — really think about it:

The batteries on many modern red dot sights last for 5 years of continuous use. If you somehow manage to survive for five years in a world that is so collapsed that common batteries are no longer in production, then congratulations, Snake Plissken, you now have your pick of iron sights that are laying around, as well as your pick of pretty much every other product of our once-advanced civilization.

Another thing: five years into TEOTWAWKI your gun is way more likely to be out of ammo than your RDS is to be out of juice. Read the rest of the story here.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: ar15; banglist; guns; preppers
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To: Future Snake Eater
Nothing more common than AAs!

And nothing more common than AA batteries barfing inside whatever they are left in, destroying the unit.

I have tried to sidestep this well known liability by using lithium AA in my long term small flashlights and GPS, but there goes the "readily available" cachet.

41 posted on 11/10/2015 12:50:37 PM PST by doorgunner69
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To: Farmer Dean

Can do once again not that I’m red dot equipped. One must yield gracefully to age.


42 posted on 11/10/2015 12:50:44 PM PST by Noumenon (Resistance. Restoration. Retribution.)
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To: Noumenon

Yep. With a magnified optic, if you can see an elbow or a foot sticking out of cover/concealment at 400 yards, you can shoot it. Without an optic, you’d never even see it, or know the bad guy was there. Huge advantage.


43 posted on 11/10/2015 12:52:08 PM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: FreedomPoster

You got the ACOG? Too pricey for me.


44 posted on 11/10/2015 12:54:17 PM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Travis McGee

Yes, I was taught to keep my elbows in tight and not splay my feet. Having half your foot shot off is a real buzz kill.


45 posted on 11/10/2015 1:04:22 PM PST by Noumenon (Resistance. Restoration. Retribution.)
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To: Noumenon

I can imagine. Elbows are handy to have as well. Not to mention keeping all the red stuff inside. And the pain.


46 posted on 11/10/2015 1:19:26 PM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Jack Black

FN FAL, AK-47, SKS, and AR-15 with iron sights are fine for what most of us civilian types would ever get into. Making 600 yard shots on human beings can be extremely problematic for obvious reasons.

My AR has a relatively cheap but well made Vortex Strikefire Red/Green Dot co-witnessed with flip-up Magpuls. The Vortex gives you an edge in close combat at 100 yards or less but you won’t cry if you damage it in transport, or in the field, or if lack of batteries render it useless.

By all means though, if you can afford it get an ACOG.


47 posted on 11/10/2015 1:26:25 PM PST by TTFlyer
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To: w1n1

Aimpoint PRO and Magpul MBUS sights on my AR.

Even an ACOG can get broken by a bullet hit, so I’m of the opinion that iron sights are a must.


48 posted on 11/10/2015 1:36:52 PM PST by RWB Patriot ("My ability is a value that must be earned and I don't recognize anyone's need as a claim on me.")
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To: Noumenon; Travis McGee; Lurker

Re: long term storage of batteries.

Probably stuff you guys already know but if not...

Consider recharable Sanyo eneloops, hold charge with nominal discharge for very long shelf life. Far, far better then alkaline batteries. Rechargeable.
Longer life cycle in terms of total usable recharge cycles over NiCad. couple with economic charger than can operate with 12v and USB allows vehicle use and small folding solar panels.

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Asanyo%20eneloop

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OQ0CAW6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1447191795&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=folding+solar+panel&dpPl=1&dpID=412gc4xTKDL&ref=plSrch


49 posted on 11/10/2015 1:43:46 PM PST by Covenantor ("Men are ruled-...by liars who passing refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." Chesterton)
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To: w1n1
I would never give up backup iron sights, and I practice with them. However, for twilight work, scopes of low magnification (3x - 7X) are needed. For broad daylight, much higher magnification is useful.

I bought a Torrey Pines thermal imaging device for night-time work. I'll probably put it on either an AR or a Mini-14. It's good to 100 yards, so the gun doesn't need to be any better than that.

50 posted on 11/10/2015 1:49:02 PM PST by JoeFromSidney (,)
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To: rstrahan

The National Match sites on my M1A are just fine.If I can see it,I can shoot at it.


51 posted on 11/10/2015 1:51:27 PM PST by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: Jack Black

Ahh,an FN-FAL.What an elegant weapon.


52 posted on 11/10/2015 1:53:22 PM PST by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: doorgunner69

I usually store my AAs outside of my devices when they’re in a BOB or in a storage form.


53 posted on 11/10/2015 1:57:57 PM PST by Future Snake Eater (CrossFit.com)
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To: Travis McGee

I will admit I’m softening on the 2032 battery optics. The holo sight was widely used in Iraq when I was there, so I trust it. I personally used an ACOG and loved it, but my God are they expensive! I’m looking closer at the Aimpoint T and H series now.


54 posted on 11/10/2015 2:00:05 PM PST by Future Snake Eater (CrossFit.com)
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To: w1n1

For those of you who can’t afford much, Leapers/UTG has developed their sights into some of the most durable and useful sights (tough construction, good glass for low light, etc.). Their reputation over the last few years has been much improved. See discussion boards. Optics Planet and many other vendors sell them.

http://www.leapers.com/index.php


55 posted on 11/10/2015 2:02:27 PM PST by familyop ("Dry land is not just our destination, it is our destiny!" --"Deacon," "Waterworld")
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To: Farmer Dean

“The National Match sites on my M1A are just fine. If I can see it, I can shoot at it.”

“at” is not the problem. Hits count. :)

I have a garden variety Springfield M1A that I have yet to even fire, let alone dial in.

I want to get a SOCOM 16, then I’ll be in the market for a holo sight of some kind.


56 posted on 11/10/2015 2:15:30 PM PST by PLMerite (The Revolution...will not be kind.)
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To: Future Snake Eater

Yeah, you can’t beat an Aimpoint for practicality. Not quite as precise perhaps as an EOTech with the 1MOA dot surrounded by a circle, because the Aimpoint dot has to be a lot wider to stand out rapidly by its lonesome. But that is a small quibble, and the superior reliability of the Aimpoint compared to the EOTech is also undeniable.


57 posted on 11/10/2015 2:16:47 PM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Future Snake Eater
I usually store my AAs outside of my devices when they’re in a BOB or in a storage form.

Good idea, but throws a wrench in the "ready to go at a moments notice" meme. Might want to look into the lithium batteries. $ but if they truly do not have the alkaline barfing issue, worth the security. Supposed to last longer stored as well.......

So far, lost two GPS handhelds and two flashlights, and a handheld mini cassette recorder to the damn alkalines barfing silently. I hate the things with a passion.

58 posted on 11/10/2015 2:18:23 PM PST by doorgunner69
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To: PLMerite

Getting hits is no problem with that rifle.Very accurate at distance.


59 posted on 11/10/2015 2:33:37 PM PST by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: grobdriver

I’m all for scopes being an old guy, but, they really stink in the dark unless you get a really big one (very large front lens) and they are really expensive. Of course you can always get an active night vision scope but then you won’t be able to use it in the daylight.

Some people recommend having one of each and swapping them out back and forth but the lightly hood of accuracy holding up while switching scopes is not so good.


60 posted on 11/10/2015 2:45:13 PM PST by JAKraig (my religion is at least as good as yours)
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